01/02/2026 Special to SCAUWG.ORG – OPINION – from Matthew Stone (Addressing the December 2025 FAA decision)
The political whirlwinds around Santa Monica Airport have whipped for many decades and it is clear that 2026 will continue this trend. The airport, reputedly facing closure within a few short years, has not been allowed any peace in its supposed twilight.
In 2017, litigation between the City of Santa Monica and FAA was settled with a Consent Decree which allowed the city to close Santa Monica Airport on December 31, 2028 while honoring aviation obligations as operations sunset. It is now clear that City officials have not honored the standing agreements the 2017 deal was built upon.
In light of the recent Federal Aviation Administration ruling that the City of Santa Monica has violated federal law by improperly accumulating a $19 million non-aeronautical surplus through manipulative fee structures—contravening Grant Assurance 25 and 49 U.S.C. § 47133—it is evident that the city has acted in clear bad faith. This violation, involving the separation of revenues and a drastic 53% reduction in aeronautical rates to preserve funds for non-airport uses post-closure, undermines the integrity of federal grant obligations and the 2017 Consent Decree itself.
I urge the FAA to seek an annulment of this Consent Decree and a revocation of the closure allowance on the basis of city officials’ noncompliance. Santa Monica officials reneged on their part of the bargain and even tried to argue with the FAA about matters under federal authorities’ jurisdiction.
Area residents also have good reason to smother closure efforts given the realistic futures facing the airport’s land. The original sales pitch for a “grand park” has faded as developers have come out of the woodwork to press their agendas. Voters were sold on the park as the ‘only’ future for Santa Monica Airport’s land…but now it’s clear special interests hope to push their agenda in at the eleventh hour. As the City engages in shady funding methods that violate federal guidelines, voters have no reason to believe their wishes will be honored either.
For the sake of accountability and to encourage good governance, punitive action by federal authorities against the City of Santa Monica is warranted to protect national interests and ensure compliance with aviation law. An annulment of the 2017 Consent Decree is an excellent place to start, regardless of whether Santa Monica officials threaten further litigation. – MS